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Published on: February 7, 2018
Skin repair using a porcine collagen I/III membrane--vascularization and epithelization properties
Falk Wehrhan1, Emeka Nkenke, Ivan Melnychenko
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen, Glueckstrasse 11, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Falk.Wehrhan@uk-erlangen.de
Background:
Collagen membranes have been developed to overcome the problem of limited availability of skin grafts. Vascularization and restricted functional epithelization limit the success of bioartificial constructs.
Objective:
To compare the vascularization, epithelization, and integration of a porcine collagen I/III membrane with that of split-thickness skin grafts on skin wounds.
Materials And Methods:
In 21 adult pigs, full-thickness skin defects on the rear side of the ear healed by split-thickness skin grafting, by covering with the membrane, or by free granulation. Skin samples on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 were evaluated histologically (hematoxylin-eosin, Sirius Red) and using immunohistochemistry (cytokeratin 5/6, transforming growth factor beta receptor (TGFbetaR-III) and immunoblot (TGFbeta(1,3), Smad2/3). Epithelial thickness and TGFbetaR-III-positive capillary area were quantitatively assessed.
Results:
Epithelization and vascularization in the membrane group were not significantly different from in the group treated with a split-thickness skin graft. Free granulation showed significantly slower epithelization and vascularization (p<.05). TGFbeta(1) and Smad2/3 complex expression were high during free granulation. Matrix was distinguishable until day 7.
Conclusions:
This membrane serves as a suitable full-thickness dermal substitute, because the membrane is vascularized faster than free granulation tissue and enables early epithelization.
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